• AFZ hosted the discussion “Limitless Women: Stories of Strength, Science, and Leadership” to commemorate Women’s Month.
March 2026. Four outstanding Costa Rican women who excel in different fields participated in a discussion organized by AFZ to inspire members of the community and promote female leadership in recognition of Women’s Month. The event, titled “Limitless Women: Stories of Strength, Science, and Leadership,” took place on March 5.
The speakers included Hanna Gabriels, world boxing champion; Gabriela Lucke, Director of the Center for Inclusive and Sustainable Leadership at INCAE Business School; Karla Blanco, international speaker and author of the best-selling book Expand Your Potential; and Valentina Segura, an elementary school student and participant in the “Niñas Súper Científicas” program at the Costa Rica Institute of Technology (TEC).
Drawing from their personal experiences, each speaker shared tools and perspectives on overcoming gender barriers, achieving personal and professional goals, and building the empowerment needed to lead.
“Women often face unconscious biases because, historically, we were taught to remain silent, to be reserved, and to avoid building strong networks. However, we need to change those rules. In today’s professional world, we must build connections, make our work visible, create alliances, and develop our potential in order to grow,” said Blanco, who has been recognized by Forbes as one of the 50 most powerful women in Central America.
Hanna Gabriels, who holds a record of 22 victories as a professional boxer, emphasized that female empowerment goes far beyond physical strength.
“When it comes to protecting ourselves, physical strength is not always the most important tool. We must learn to think, to know ourselves, to use our voice, to run when necessary to stay safe, and to defend ourselves if we must, because our lives matter. Most importantly, we need to break the silence that often perpetuates difficult situations. When we share our experiences, we also begin the process of healing. I encourage everyone to discover the power they already have within themselves,” said the boxer, who is also a certified empowerment and self-defense instructor for girls and women.
Purpose and Vision
For Gabriela Lucke, it is essential that every woman takes the time to define her purpose in life—both personally and professionally—and identify the path to achieve it.
“Women often compare themselves to others and focus too much on their weaknesses, which can limit us. To become leaders, we need to engage in a process of self-discovery, define our purpose, recognize our strengths, and focus on developing them. We must project ourselves into the future and identify the steps needed to achieve our goals,” said Lucke, who has extensive experience in business development and inclusive leadership.
All participants highlighted the importance of solidarity among women, encouraging them to support one another in their personal and professional growth. They also emphasized the need to empower girls and young women so they can envision their future and pursue fields traditionally perceived as male-dominated, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).
Valentina Segura, who has received support from her family and teachers, shared her experience participating in the “Niñas Súper Científicas” program, which promotes female talent in science, technology, and innovation.
“From a very young age, I have been interested in science, so I was very excited when my teacher told me about the Super Scientist Girls program. It has allowed me to learn many things in creative ways, such as conducting experiments, and in the future I would like to study neurology, genetics, or microbiology,” said Valentina, who is 11 years old and currently in sixth grade at Rafael Moya Molina School in Heredia.
AFZ General Manager Carlos Sandí emphasized the importance of promoting female talent and fostering inclusive work environments.
“In our business community, many companies have women in top leadership positions who have become a source of inspiration for future generations. The free zone regime is not only a major generator of employment but also a model of equity, offering tremendous opportunities for women across the country. Spaces like this at AFZ allow us to promote female talent, strengthen leadership, and build an inclusive work environment with equal opportunities for everyone,” said Sandí.